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Birding Around the Rainbow Owl Preserve
Birding Around Las Vegas, Urban Las Vegas Valley
Birding Around Rainbow Owl Preserve
Rainbow Owl Preserve
Donald Nelson Ave at Rio Vista St (view NE)

Description

The Rainbow Owl Preserve is an area traditionally inhabited by Burrowing Owls that was in danger of being paved over during urban development as the northern edge of Las Vegas pushed farther into the desert. Concerned citizens and Red Rock Audubon Society worked together to raise money and preserve a small portion of the original owl habitat.

The Rainbow Owl Preserve is comprised of three small parcels located near the north edge of the Las Vegas urban area along Rainbow Blvd. All three are fenced to keep people and dogs out, so viewing always is from the perimeter. The rural nature of the area provides plenty of off-pavement parking. All three are accessible, even viewable from a vehicle.

Find the owls by looking for piles of rocks and upright posts. These structures were installed near natural and artificial burrows and offer the owls a place to stand above the ground while surveying their domain for danger.

Link to map.

Rainbow Owl Preserve
Burrowing Owl on alert for danger

Location

Rainbow Owl Preserve is located in the northwest part of Las Vegas, about 15 miles (20 minutes) from downtown.

From downtown, drive north on Highway 95 to N Buffalo Dr (exit 91B). Exit the highway and turn right onto Buffalo. Buffalo bends left to run due north. Drive north 1.0 miles to W Elkhorn Rd. Turn right onto W Elkhorn Rd and drive east 0.5 miles to N Tenaya Way. Turn left onto N Tenaya Way and drive north 0.6 miles to Donald Nelson Ave. Turn right onto Donald Nelson Ave and drive east 2 blocks to Rio Vista St. Continue across Rio Vista and park ahead on the left between Rio Vista St and Balsam St. This is the main owl area.

Continue east on Donald Nelson Ave. Turn left onto Balsam St and drive north 1 block to Whispering Sands. Turn right onto Whispering Sands and drive east 1 block to Rainbow Blvd. The second owl area is on the left -- a small, fenced triangle of land.

Turn left onto Rainbow Blvd and drive north 1 block. Park on the right before Jo Marcy Dr. This is the third owl area.

Donald Nelson at Rio Vista

Rainbow Owl Preserve
Donald Nelson Ave and Rio Vista St (view NW)
Rainbow Owl Preserve
Donald Nelson Ave and Rio Vista St: the main owl area (view NE)
Rainbow Owl Preserve
Donald Nelson Ave approaching Rio Vista St (view NW)
Rainbow Owl Preserve
Donald Nelson Ave at Rio Vista St (view NW)
Rainbow Owl Preserve
Fencing protects the owls (view NE)
Rainbow Owl Preserve
Sign: Rainbow Owl Preserve (view NE)
Rainbow Owl Preserve
Sign: Rainbow Owl Preserve (view N)
Rainbow Owl Preserve
Looking over fence from the Rainbow Owl Preserve sign (view NE)
Rainbow Owl Preserve
Parking along Donald Nelson Ave (view E)
Rainbow Owl Preserve
A transformer box makes a nice place to sit and watch owls (view N)
Rainbow Owl Preserve
View from the transformer box (view N)
Rainbow Owl Preserve
The views can be long; bring a spotting scope for close-ups
Rainbow Owl Preserve
The views can be long (zoom-view N from transformer box)
Rainbow Owl Preserve
The views can be long (zoom-view N from transformer box)
Rainbow Owl Preserve
The views can be long (zoom-view N from left of transformer box)
Rainbow Owl Preserve
Artificial burrow
Rainbow Owl Preserve
Burrowing Owl at edge of natural burrow
Rainbow Owl Preserve
Burrowing Owl in the shade
Rainbow Owl Preserve
Burrowing Owl atop a post
Rainbow Owl Preserve
Don't overlook neighborhood yards and trees (view SW)
Rainbow Owl Preserve
The neighbors are friendly, but stay off private property (view S)
Rainbow Owl Preserve
The neighbor is friendly, but stay off private property (view SW)

Whispering Sands at Rainbow

Rainbow Owl Preserve
W Whispering Sands Dr. at N Rainbow Blvd (view NW)
Rainbow Owl Preserve
Whispering Sands at Rainbow (view NW)
Rainbow Owl Preserve
Whispering Sands approaching Rainbow (view E)
Rainbow Owl Preserve
Whispering Sands at Owl Preserve (view E)
Rainbow Owl Preserve
Off-pavement parking on the NW corner (view W)
Rainbow Owl Preserve
Drainage ditch fencing limits access (view W)
Rainbow Owl Preserve
Burrowing Owl habitat (view N through the white fence)
Rainbow Owl Preserve
Burrowing Owl habitat sign (view NE over the white fence)
Rainbow Owl Preserve
Burrowing Owl habitat (view N through the white fence)
Rainbow Owl Preserve
Burrowing Owl habitat (view N through the white fence)
Rainbow Owl Preserve
Burrowing Owl (view N through the white fence)
Rainbow Owl Preserve
Burrowing Owl (view N through the white fence)
Rainbow Owl Preserve
Burrowing Owl atop a log (view NE before fencing)
Rainbow Owl Preserve
Jo Marcy area is one block up Rainbow (view N)

Jo Marcy at Rainbow

Rainbow Owl Preserve
W Jo Marcy Dr at N Rainbow Blvd (view NW)
Rainbow Owl Preserve
Jo Marcy at Rainbow (view SE)
Rainbow Owl Preserve
Fencing protects the owls (view SE)
Rainbow Owl Preserve
Fencing protects the owls (view SE)
Rainbow Owl Preserve
Sign: Rainbow Owl Preserve (view E)
Rainbow Owl Preserve
Sign: Rainbow Owl Preserve (view E)
Rainbow Owl Preserve
Artificial burrow near intersection of Jo Marcy and Rainbow (view E)
Rainbow Owl Preserve
Artificial burrow at NE corner of Owl Preserve (view SE)
Rainbow Owl PreserveArtificial burrow near intersection of Jo Marcy and Rainbow (view SE) Rainbow Owl Preserve
Details of artificial burrow (view E)
Rainbow Owl Preserve
Artificial burrow at SE corner of Owl Preserve (view SE)
Rainbow Owl Preserve
Artificial burrow at SE corner of Owl Preserve (view SE)
Rainbow Owl Preserve
Artificial burrow at SE corner of Owl Preserve (view SE)
Rainbow Owl Preserve
Artificial burrow at SE corner of Owl Preserve (view S)
Rainbow Owl Preserve
Artificial burrow at SE corner of Owl Preserve (view S)
Rainbow Owl Preserve
Artificial burrow at NE corner of Owl Preserve (view NE)
Rainbow Owl Preserve
Artificial burrow at NE corner of Owl Preserve (view NE)
Rainbow Owl Preserve
Artificial burrow at NE corner of Owl Preserve (view SE)
Rainbow Owl Preserve
Artificial burrow at NE corner of Owl Preserve (view SE)
Rainbow Owl Preserve
Artificial burrow at NE corner of Owl Preserve (view SE)
Rainbow Owl Preserve
Artificial burrow at NE corner of Owl Preserve (view SE)
Rainbow Owl Preserve
Artificial burrow at NE corner of Owl Preserve (view SE)

Table 1. Highway Coordinates (NAD27; UTM Zone 11S). Download Highway GPS Waypoints (*.gpx) file.

Site Location UTM Easting UTM Northing Latitude (N) Longitude (W) Elevation (ft)
1940 Donald Nelson at Rio Vista 657601 4018444 36.29993 115.24481 2,369
1941 Whispering Sands at Rainbow 657859 4018639 36.30165 115.24190 2,375
1942 Jo Marcy at Rainbow 657958 4018783 36.30292 115.24077 2,375

Happy birding! All distances, elevations, and other facts are approximate.
copyright; Last updated 240323

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